Community Safety cautions the public against purchasing fraudulent permits
"The brazen act of the suspect, which saw him even advertising his fraudulent activities at his house's gate, cannot go unpunished."
The Gauteng Department of Community Safety warned members of the public to refrain from purchasing and using fraudulent documents during the Covid-19 national lockdown period. This follows a sting operation by the Gauteng Traffic Police and Police’s Crime Intelligence unit which led to the arrest of a 41-year-old man in Diepkloof, Soweto after being found printing fraudulent Covid-19 lockdown essential-services permits as well as motor vehicle licensing documents.
The arrest occurred yesterday morning (22 April) and the suspect was detained at the Diepkloof Police Station. He was expected to appear in the Orlando Magistrates’ Court to face charges of fraud, and contravention of the national lockdown regulations.
“We commend our law-enforcement agencies for the swift arrest of this fraudster who is robbing our people of their hard-earned money in exchange for the fraudulent documents. Sadly, this is a serious contravention of the Covid-19 national lockdown regulations. The Department of Community Safety appeals to members of the community to refrain from purchasing and using these fraudulent documents to circumvent movement limitations imposed by the Covid-19 national lockdown regulations.
“It is important that members of the public stay home during the lockdown period. The brazen act of the suspect, which saw him even advertising his fraudulent activities at his house’s gate, cannot go unpunished.
“Nobody is allowed to produce permits, except authorised state institutions and organisations. Anyone found in possession of fraudulent documents during this lockdown period and beyond will face the full might of law,” said departmental spokesperson, Ofentse Morwane.
